in his application postage stamps to the value of 1s. to pay for the new book. If a depositor loses his book, he should immediately give notice of the loss to the postmaster-general.

G. No charge for postage will be made on the depositor for any letter passing between him and the savings bank department with regard to his deposits, or with regard to the withdrawal of the same, or for the transmission of his deposit book between him and the savings bank department.

H. The postmasters and other officers of the postmaster-general employed in the receipt or payment of deposits, are strictly forbidden to disclose the name of any depositor or the amount of his deposits, except to the postmaster-general, or to such of his officers as are appointed to assist in carrying on the business of the post office banks.

I. A full statement of the regulations of the post office banks may be seen in the "British Postal Guide," and at any post office bank; where also information may be obtained with regard to the rules affecting

(A.) The deposits made by trustees on behalf of another person.

(B.) The deposits of minors.

(C.) The deposits of married women.

(D.) The deposits of friendly or charitable

or provident societies or penny

banks.

(E.) The repayment of the deposits of deceased depositors to their represen

tatives.

(F.) The repayment of the deposits of de

positors who have become insane, or who are from other causes unable to act for themselves.

SAVINGS BANKS ANNUITIES.

The Act of 16 & 17 Vict. c. 45 (amended by 27 & 28 Vict. c. 43), enables servants to obtain from Government a present annuity for life, by payment of one sum down; or a future annuity for life as a provision for old age (with or without the condition of the sums paid being returnable), by payment of a sum down, or of sums payable from time to time.

By sect. 2 of that Act, the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt are empowered to grant to depositors in savings banks, and persons entitled to become depositors therein, immediate or deferred life annuities, to any amount of not less than 47. nor more than 50%., and to receive payment for such immediate life annuities in one sum, or for such deferred life annuities, either in one sum, or for an annual sum payable at fixed periods.

By sect. 4, deferred annuities may be granted, with the condition that the purchase-money shall be returnable.

By sect. 5, annuities may be granted, with the condition that the purchase-money shall not be returnable.

By sect. 6, parties unable to keep up annual payments, in respect of the purchase of a deferred life annuity, may have an annuity in lieu of having money returned.

By sect. 7, the Commissioners are empowered to convert deferred into immediate annuities.

By sect. 10, the Commissioners may contract with persons for the payment of a sum of money at death.

It is important to observe, that, by sect. 11, such annuities may be purchased either at the National Debt Office, 19, Old Jewry, or at a savings bank, or parochial or friendly society, or through agents duly authorized by the Commissioners.

By sect. 15, persons contracting for payment of sums of money at death may commute the same into an annuity payable after death to nominees.

By sect. 21, such annuities are payable halfyearly.

By sect. 22, annuities are to be paid to the

several parties entitled at the office of the Commissioners, or by savings banks, or by parochial societies, or authorized agents.

Copies of the Tables, Instructions and Forms of Certificates, &c. will be furnished to all parties who shall apply for them by letter, post paid, "To the Secretary of the National Debt Office, London, E.C."

BANKS OF DEPOSIT.

Servants are very naturally disposed, when they have saved a few pounds, to endeavour to better, as they think, their position by setting up in business, with the management of which they are, perhaps, unacquainted, or for which their previous habits have unfitted them; and thereby, as is unfortunately too often the case, they not only lose all their honestly acquired savings of years, but bring themselves into trouble from which they may be unable afterwards to extricate themselves.

There is, no doubt, great difficulty felt by servants, exposed as they more especially are to the importunities of others, in making proper investments of their savings.

It would be well for them to bear in mind, that a large rate of interest always implies a large amount of risk; and they should not, therefore, incur such risk, with the hope of

obtaining exorbitant interest, but be contented with the ordinary rates.

Sums amounting to 107. and upwards may be placed on deposit with old-established banks, such as the Union Bank of London and its branches, on which interest is allowed at a rate varying according to the state of the money market. Such deposits may at any time be withdrawn on giving seven days' notice.

EXCISE LICENCES (c).

66

of

The duty payable annually for every male servant is 15s. As to male servants-by sect. 19, subsect. 3, The term 'male servant' means and includes any male servant employed either wholly or partially in any the following capacities: that is to say, maître d'hôtel, house steward, master of the horse, groom of the chamber, valet de chambre, butler, under butler, clerk of the kitchen, confectioner, cook, house porter, footman, page, waiter, coachman, groom, postillion, stableboy or helper in the stables, gardener, under gardener, parkkeeper, gamekeeper, under gamekeeper, huntsman, whipper-in, or in any capacity involving duties of any of the above

(c) 16 & 17 Vict. c. 90, Schedule C.; and 32 & 33 Vict. c. 14, s. 16, &c.